The Renaissance on the Euganean Hills

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This exquisite, early 16th-century, proto-neoclassical villa, surrounded by the landscape of the Euganean Hills and adorned with stunning frescoes, embodies a perfectly balanced fusion of nature, art and architecture, suspended between reality and illusion.

Donated to FAI by Maria Teresa Olcese Valoti and Pierpaolo Olcese in 2005

Standing out on a knoll of the Euganean Hills, encircled by the lush, untainted greenery of the Veneto countryside, the Villa dei Vescovi is a highly significant villa that blazed a trail in this part of north-eastern Italy (and, indeed, far beyond) for a return to classical models, with echoes of the Roman Renaissance, thus anticipating Palladio’s widely copied aesthetic.

The concept for the Villa dei Vescovi (“Bishops’ Villa”) was originated in the early 16th century by nobleman Alvise Cornaro at the behest of the Bishop of Padua, who wanted a venue for his intellectual circle that would tap the potential of the countryside as a catalyst for elevated thoughts and reflections, which were considered essential elements for governing well. Designed in compliance with these ideals by the Veronese architect Giovan Maria Falconetto to a rigidly geometric plan, the villa then benfitted from the input of Giulio Romano. It constitutes a refined experiment in Humanist culture, in which architecture, art and the landscape engage with each other in an ongoing game of visual references through the loggias and terraces, with a view to enhancing the wellbeing of those spending time there.

As you approach the villa, a series of vineyards gives way to the verdant geometries of the walled garden, after which the beauty of the real landscape is once again reflected in the idealised panoramas of the loggias and the interiors, covered in their entirety with frescoes by the Flemish painter Lambert Sustris. The original vocation of the property, as a place with the ability to inspire and elevate the spirit, survives today: the invitation stills stands to immerse yourself in the Villa dei Vescovi, enjoying a day of creative otium or staying overnight in the guest accommodation, savouring the benefits of its heart-warming ambience.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

The Villa dei Vescovi re-opens to the public on Saturday, 3 March, 2018, and thereafter will have the following opening hours:

By carA4 Milan-Venice Motorway (“Autostrada A4 Milano-Venezia”), “Padova Ovest” exit; join the ring road, continue on Corso Australia, exit in the direction of the Euganean Hills (“Colli Euganei”); proceed for around 10 km in the direction of Teolo. Having passed through Praglia, after the roundabout take the signposted road for Luvigliano. From the toll gate, the distance is around 20 km.

There is car parking on Via Roberto Ferruzzi, near the villa. Buses can park in Piazza Mercato in Torreglia.

By trainTerme Euganee - Abano Montegrotto station. For the train times, visit www.trenitalia.it. There is a scheduled bus service from the station (“Linea Colli” AT or ATL line to the bus-stop signposted as “Tito Livio 8” in Luvigliano di Torreglia).

By busThe operator for the bus service in and around Padua is Busitalia S.p.A. The line to use is the “Linea Colli” ATL or TL, which you can catch from Padua (train station), Abano Terme (Piazza Sacro Cuore) or Montegrotto (train station). For the bus timetables, visit www.fsbusitaliaveneto.it

By air

Venice “Marco Polo” airport (70 km)

Treviso airport (80 km)

Verona airport

Bologna airport

By bike

From Montegrotto: cycle route to Luvigliano. On reaching the municipality of Torreglia, keep right and proceed along the provincial road (“Strada Provinciale”); the final section takes in different types of surface, but nothing too challenging.

There is a car park on Via Roberto Ferruzzi, opposite Luvigliano cemetery, around 400 m from the Villa (5 minutes’ walk, on a slight slope).

GT buses are not permitted to enter Via Vescovi: we recommend that groups get off the bus at the Monument to the Fallen (“Monumento per i Caduti”) and proceed on foot to the entrance to the villa (1 minute’s walk, on a slight slope). Drivers must park buses and coaches in Piazza Mercato in Torreglia (2 km from the Villa dei Vescovi). Minibuses with up to 20 seats and shuttle buses with up to 9 seats can drive up to the entrance to the villa.

Tickets

FAI members: free entry*

Adults: €11

Children aged 4-14: €4

Children aged 0-3: free entry

Students aged 25 or under: €5

National Trust members*, residents of the Torreglia Local Council area*, those with disabilities + 1 companion: free entry

Family: €25. Allows entry at reduced rates for family groups composed of 2 adults and 2 children (4-14 years of age). Free entry for any additional children in the family group.

*with the exception of specific events, when the additional event charge will apply.

During events the price may be subject to change

Guided tours are also available on Saturdays and Sundays; these cannot be booked in advance and are intended for individual visitors. These tours are subject to a supplementary charge of €2 on top of the cost of the entry ticket.

FAIr Play Family: €1.00 on top of the cost of the entry ticket.Run until you lose your breath, discover secret passageways, find the perfect place for a somersault, listen to the sounds of nature: there are a total of 60 activities on offer through the “FAIr Play Family” project, which invites children aged 5-12 to discover the interior and exterior of the property in an original, creative way, stimulating their imagination and curiosity. It is a playful, unconstrained approach that is also respectful to both art and nature, with a view to ensuring that the visitor experience is educational for the younger generation, who after all will be the future “custodians of Italy’s beauty”.

Guided Tours

Group activities:Special visits The villa offers a wealth of different visitor opportunities: trekking and cycle-tourism excursions through the Park of the Euganean Hills; walks focusing on natural history and culture in the Torreglia area; tastings of local produce and products at the villa; workshop-based games; fresco workshops; and orienteering in the grounds. For more information and costs, please contact the villa.Find out here about our offering for groups.

Tourism-industry concessions:If you represent a tour company or a public body and would like to get access to our concessions schemes, please call us on (+39) 338 5442197 or write to us at turismo.vescovi@fondoambiente.it

Disabled visitors can access free-of-charge those FAI properties that are open to the public by showing their ANMIC (Associazione Nazionale Mutilati e Invalidi Civili) card.

The property is accessible to those with learning difficulties. To find out more, please visit www.benefaipertutti.it

Visitors with physical disabilities can reach the villa by means of a dedicated access route. The time required to access the villa may be different with respect to the remainder of the group. Prior booking is essential for this service. Please write to us at faivescovi@fondoambiente.it or call us on (+39) 049 9930473. This service may not be available in the event of rain.

Shopping

Purchases from the bookshop make a tangible contribution to supporting FAI.

Restaurant

The bistro-cafe at the Villa dei Vescovi has the following opening hours:

Lunches can be laid on for visitor groups, as can snacks for school groups. Picnic baskets can be prepared for use in the grounds.

For information and bookings: (+39) 049 9930473

Wi-Fi

Free wi-fi is available at the Villa dei Vescovi.

Guest Accomodation

Staying at the Villa dei VescoviImmerse yourself in the magic of the Euganean Hills, lose yourself in the peaceful breathing of nature as you experience the ancient leisure pursuits of nobles, bishops and intellectuals. A stay in FAI’s Guest Accommodation at the Villa dei Vescovi is uniquely evocative, allowing you to savour the fascinating adventure of history and to come face-to-face with the beauty of this wonderful example of Italy’s artistic heritage, contributing in the process to its safeguarding and survival. Take a break from your daily grind with a romantic weekend or a longer holiday to be shared with family and friends.

The accommodationThe villa includes two separate apartments: the “Mansarda del Vigneto” and the “Mansarda del Frutteto”. Each apartment sleeps up to 4 guests, with the option of an additional bed for children.Each apartment features 2 double bedrooms with private bathroom, and a lounge/dining area with a furnished kitchen, featuring an electric hob, a fridge and an oven.

Arrival and departureCheck-in time: from 4pm.Check-out time: by 10am.If you have particular requirements, please contact the staff at the villa.

FacilitiesThe accommodation is provided with a complete set of linen.The weekly cleaning and linen-change service is included in the price.Guests can also take advantage of special deals at the leading local sport and fitness facilities.The villa also includes a bookshop and a self-service cafe with fresh, organic products.

The Landmark TrustThe Landmark Trust is a UK-based charity that is committed to safeguarding ancient buildings of cultural interest, infusing them with a new lease of life as exceptional holiday accommodation accessible to everyone. FAI has recently launched a partnership with the Landmark Trust, which is now responsible for managing the guest accommodation at the Villa dei Vescovi, with a view to ensuring the highest standards of service, thanks to the Trust’s 50 years of experience.

For information and bookings:In Italy: contact the Landmark Trust on (+39) 041 5222481 or mail landmarktrust.italia@gmail.com

Dogs are allowed in the grounds, on condition that they are kept on the leash. Inside the villa, only small dogs that can be carried are permitted.undefined

Venue hire and events

Choose the villa for your events

The Villa dei Vescovi – in harmony with the Veneto’s art and nature

The villa plays host to numerous rooms, a colonnade, loggias, terraces, a courtyard, large grounds with a vineyard, a walled garden and a little lake. As such, it can serve as the perfect backdrop for numerous events both indoors and out. The spaces are available for use by guests for MICE and private events: corporate meetings, team-building events, exclusive lunches and dinners, conferences, presentations of books and products, guided tours and educational workshops associated with the local area, voluntary-sector projects, ceremonies, receptions and weddings.

Thanks to its picture-postcard beauty, the villa and its extensive grounds are ideal for photo shoots and film shoots.

By selecting a FAI property as a venue for your event, you are contributing to the conservation and protection of Italy’s heritage of art and nature.

Photo/video shootsPhoto sets and film sets; launch of new products; catwalk events

Special eventsFood and wine: tastings of local wines and food products Culture: guided tours taking in art, fashion, legends and unusual factsNature: visits taking in the natural history of the Park of the Euganean Hills Sport: cycling, trekking, yoga, walks, geocachingVolunteering and team-building projects Maintenance of the villa: conservation of furnishings, paintings and the perimeter wallsMaintenance of the grounds and the walled gardenCourses: art and architecture Harvest at the villa